Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – CURRENT EVENT

Context: Most of the heat action plans (HAPs) put forth by multiple Indian cities lack long-term strategies to tackle the growing threat of extreme heat in the country, a new study has found. It also said that the cities having such strategies did not implement them effectively.

Background: –

• The study, ‘Is India Ready for a Warming World? How Heat Resilience Measures Are Being Implemented for 11% of India’s Urban Population in Some of Its Most At-Risk Cities’, was carried out by the Sustainable Futures Collaborative (SFC), a New Delhi-based research organisation.

Key takeaways

• A heat action plan is essentially an early warning system and preparedness plan for extreme heat events. The Plan presents immediate as well as longer-term actions to increase preparedness, information-sharing, and response coordination to reduce the health impacts of extreme heat on vulnerable populations.
• In response to a Lok Sabha question, Minister of Science and Technology and Minister of Earth Sciences had said that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) was implementing HAPs in 23 states that were prone to heatwave conditions, in collaboration with state authorities.
• The response also showed that between 2020 and 2022, deaths due to heat stroke had increased in the country. While the number stood at 530 in 2020, it jumped to 730 in 2022. However, in 2024, it came down to 269 suspected heatstroke deaths and 161 confirmed heatstroke deaths, according to the NDMA.

How was the new study carried out?

• For their analysis, the researchers identified cities with populations over 1 million (based on the 2011 Census) that were expected to experience the largest increases in dangerous heat index values, which combine temperature and humidity, relative to their recent historical average.
• These cities were Bengaluru, Delhi, Faridabad, Gwalior, Kota, Ludhiana, Meerut, Mumbai, and Surat. The researchers conducted interviews with government officials responsible for implementing heat actions in these nine cities. They also interviewed representatives from disaster management, health, city planning, labour departments, as well as city and district administrators.

What did the study find?

• The analysis found that although all the nine cities had short-term emergency measures — such as access to drinking water and changing work schedules — long-term actions were either entirely absent or poorly implemented.
• Long-term measures such as “making household or occupational cooling available to the most heat-exposed, developing insurance cover for lost work, expanding fire management services for heat waves, and electricity grid retrofits to improve transmission reliability and distribution safety” were missing in all the cities, the study said.
• The cities implemented actions like the expansion of urban shade and green cover and the creation of open spaces that dissipate without focusing on populations and areas that experience the greatest heat risk, according to the analysis.
• It also noted that the long-term strategies being implemented focus largely on the health system, and not on the prevention. The study highlighted that there was a requirement that more funding was required to implement long-term actions.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – POLITY

Context: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna initiated an unprecedented three-member in-house inquiry into the conduct of Delhi High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma following allegations that wads of currency notes were found in his official residence where a fire broke out on March 14.

Background: –

• The internal inquiry of the judiciary follows a process that is distinct from that of impeachment under the Constitution.

Key takeaways

• The process of impeachment of a judge of the Supreme Court is laid down in Article 124(4) of the Constitution of India. Article 218 says the same provisions shall apply in relation to a judge of the High Court.
• Under Article 124(4), a judge can be removed by Parliament through a laid-down procedure on only two grounds: “proved misbehaviour” and “incapacity”.
• For an impeachment motion against an SC or HC judge to be accepted, at least two-thirds of those “present and voting” in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha must vote in favour of removing the judge — and the number of votes in favour must be more than 50% of the “total membership” of each House.
• If Parliament passes such a vote, the President will pass an order for the removal.

In-house procedure

• The need for an internal mechanism was felt in 1995, after allegations of financial impropriety surfaced against then Bombay High Court Chief Justice A M Bhattacharjee.
• After the Bombay Bar Association moved a resolution calling for the judge’s resignation, a writ petition was filed before the Supreme Court seeking to restrain the Bar from protesting.
• While hearing the case, SC noted there was no process to hold a judge accountable for “bad conduct inconsistent with the high office”, when such conduct did not meet the high bar of impeachment set by Article 124 of the Constitution. To fill the gap, the SC decided to formulate an in-house procedure.
• SC constituted a five-member committee to devise the procedure “for taking suitable remedial action against judges, who by their acts of omission or commission, do not follow the accepted values of judicial life, including the ideals expressed by the Supreme Court in the Restatement of Values of Judicial Life”.
• The committee submitted its report in 1997. It was adopted with amendments in a full court meeting of the SC in 1999.

Process revisited in 2014

• In 2014, when a woman additional district and sessions judge from Madhya Pradesh filed a complaint of sexual harassment against a sitting judge of the High Court, the SC revisited its in-house procedure.
• SC summarised and explained this process through “seven steps” (Additional District and Sessions Judge ‘X’ v. Registrar General High Court of Madhya Pradesh).
• Essentially, this process begins when the Chief Justice of a HC, the CJI, or the President of India receives a complaint. The CJ of the HC or the President will forward the complaint to the CJI.
• This complaint can be dropped at any stage, if not found serious enough by the CJI. However, to test the veracity of the complaint, the CJI can seek a preliminary report from the CJ of the HC concerned.
• If the CJ of the HC, in the preliminary report, recommends a “deeper probe”, the CJI may examine the recommendation and the statement of the judge facing the accusations, and then decide to order a three-member inquiry, comprising two other HC Chief Justices and one HC judge.
• Once the inquiry has been concluded, the committee will submit its report to the CJI. This report must state whether:
  • There is any substance to the allegations against the concerned judge and,
  • If there is sufficient substance to the allegations, whether they are serious enough that they require initiation of removal proceedings against the judge.
• If the committee concludes that the misconduct is not serious enough to warrant removal proceedings, the CJI may “advise” the judge concerned, and direct that the committee’s report be placed on record.
• If the committee decides that the allegations are serious enough to initiate removal proceedings, the CJI will advise the concerned judge to resign or retire voluntarily.
• If the judge does not accept, the CJI will direct the HC Chief Justice not to assign any judicial work to said judge.
• If the judge does not abide by the CJI’s advice to resign or retire, the CJI will inform the President and the Prime Minister of the committee’s finding that removal proceedings should be initiated.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims  & Mains – CURRENT EVENT 

Context: After years of opposition by Khasi pressure groups against rail connectivity to Byrnihat in the Khasi Hills – and subsequently, the state capital Shillong – the Indian Railways is ready to shelve pending railway line projects to these two key locations.

Background:

• With this, Shillong will become the only state capital in the country without railway connectivity or an active ongoing rail project underway.
• New protests have now cropped up in the state’s Jaintia Hills against a recently sanctioned project to bring a railway line to Jowai, the biggest town in the Jaintia Hills.

Key takeaways

• Meghalaya has only one railway station, at Mendipathar in the North Garo Hills, which became operational in 2014. Passenger trains ply between Guwahati and Mendipathar daily, and the station received its first freight shipment last month.

Apart from this, the Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) had three more projects in the state.

• Tetelai-Byrnihat Line
  • The first is a 21.5-kilometre line connecting Tetelia railway station in Assam to Byrnihat in Meghalaya’s Ri Bhoi district. This had been sanctioned in 2010.
  • In the Tetelia-Byrnihat line, all the work on the 19 km line on the Assam side has been completed. Because of the local opposition, the Railways is considering terminating this line at the Assam border itself.
• Byrnihat-Shillong
  • The second project, sanctioned in 2011, is for a 108.76 km line from Byrnihat to Shillong with 10 stations.
  • In 2017, the Indian Railways granted Meghalaya Rs. 209.37 crore for land acquisition for these two (Tetelai-Byrnihat Line and Byrnihat-Shillong) projects. However, opposition from the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has left the project in limbo indefinitely.
• Chandranathpur to Jowai
  • A third project, approved in 2023, would connect Chandranathpur station in Assam to Jowai in the East Khasi Hills. The project is at an initial survey stage, but is already facing opposition from Jaintia pressure groups.

But why are groups opposing these projects?

• The KSU has opposed the entry of railways into the Khasi Hills since the 1980s. The stated reason has remained the same to this date: that the railways will bring about a huge influx of “outsiders” into the state.
• A long-standing demand has been the introduction of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) Regime in the state, already in place in neighbouring Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and most recently, Manipur. 
• The ILP is an official travel document issued by the respective state, authorising the travel of an Indian citizen into a “protected area” for a limited period. An Indian citizen who does not belong to these states cannot stay beyond the time period specified in the ILP.
• The groups spearheading the opposition are holding this issue as a bargaining chip to demand the ILP. But the public is quite indifferent. 
• The Railways is crucial for the economic viability of the state where 75% of the population depends on small patchy agriculture and the rest is a service economy. There is an inflation in the prices of goods because of transport by road. The railways could help mobilise productivity and bring prices down.

Source: Indian Express

Syllabus:

• Prelims – CURRENT EVENT

Context: A recent article in Hindu talks about Lapis Lazuli.

Background: –

• Lapis lazuli has been found in many countries but the highest quality rock comes from Afghanistan’s Badakhshan province.

Key takeaways 

• Lapis Lazuli is a deep-blue metamorphic rock prized for its intense color and historical significance. It is primarily composed of the mineral lazurite, along with calcite, pyrite, and other minerals.
• Historical Name – Sanskrit: Rajavarta (“king’s gem”)
• Key Features
  • Color: Deep royal blue (intensity of the blue depends on the amount of sulfur in lazurite) with golden specks (due to pyrite inclusions).
  • Composition: Primarily lazurite, with calcite (white) and pyrite (golden flecks).
  • Hardness: 5–5.5 on the Mohs scale (relatively soft).
  • Geological Formation: Found in metamorphic limestone deposits.
• Major Sources
  • Afghanistan: The finest quality, especially from the Sar-e-Sang mines in Badakhshan (used since ancient times).
  • Chile: Lower-grade material with more calcite.
  • Russia: Lake Baikal region.
  • Other locations: Pakistan, Myanmar, Italy, and the USA.

Historical Importance

• Traded via the Silk Road to Egypt, Mesopotamia, and India.
• Afghanistan’s lapis lazuli reached Harappan cities (evidence from Lothal).

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus:

• Prelims & Mains – ENVIRONMENT

Context: In recent years, Hyderabad has become an Urban Heat Island (UHI), experiencing higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas. The Telangana government acknowledged this in its Socio Economic Outlook 2025 report. 

Background: –

• This situation raises concerns not only for climate conditions but also for public health, as hot nights hinder recovery from day time heat, leading to extended physical stress.

Key takeaways

• An Urban Heat Island (UHI) is a phenomenon where urban areas experience higher temperatures than surrounding rural areas due to human activities and urbanization.

Causes of UHI

• Reduced Vegetation: Less greenery leads to less cooling through evapotranspiration.
• Heat Absorption by Buildings & Roads: Concrete, asphalt, and glass trap and retain heat.
• Waste Heat Emission: From air conditioners, vehicles, and industries.
• Altered Wind Patterns: High-rise buildings obstruct natural airflow, reducing cooling.
• Air Pollution: Smog and pollutants trap heat, enhancing the greenhouse effect.

Effects of UHI

• Increased Energy Demand: Higher use of air conditioning raises electricity consumption.
• Health Issues: Heat-related illnesses, dehydration, and respiratory problems.
• Reduced Air Quality: Higher temperatures worsen air pollution and smog formation.
• Water Stress: Increased evaporation and water demand.
• Impact on Biodiversity: Heat stress affects urban flora and fauna.

Mitigation Strategies

• Increasing Green Cover: Planting trees, rooftop gardens, and urban forests.

• Cool Roofs & Reflective Materials: Using light-colored or reflective surfaces to reduce heat absorption.
• Sustainable Urban Planning: Reducing vehicular emissions and promoting public transport.
• Water Bodies & Green Spaces: Creating urban lakes and parks for natural cooling.
• Improving Ventilation: Designing open spaces for better airflow in cities.

Source: New Indian Express

Q1.) Consider the following statements regarding Lapis Lazuli:

1. It is primarily composed of the mineral lazurite, along with calcite and pyrite.
2. The best-quality Lapis Lazuli is found in Chile.
3. Lapis Lazuli was traded via the Silk Road and reached the Harappan cities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Q2.) With reference to the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, consider the following causes:

1. Increased vegetation cover in urban areas
2. High-rise buildings obstructing natural wind flow
3. Excessive use of concrete and asphalt in cities
4. Emission of waste heat from industries and vehicles

Which of the above factors contribute to the Urban Heat Island effect?
(a) 1, 2, and 3 only
(b) 2, 3, and 4 only
(c) 1, 3, and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, and 4

Q3.) With reference to the impeachment of judges in India, consider the following statements:

1. A judge of the Supreme Court or High Court can be removed from office only on grounds of “proven misbehavior” or “incapacity.”
2. The process of impeachment is mentioned under Article 356 of the Indian Constitution.
3. For a motion of impeachment to be successful, it must be passed by a simple majority in both Houses of Parliament.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 2 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3

Comment the answers to the above questions in the comment section below!!

ANSWERS FOR ’  Today’s – Daily Practice MCQs’ will be updated along with tomorrow’s Daily Current Affairs

Q.1) – d

Q.2) – b

Q.3) – a